# NTSB ATL90LA174: Piper PA-28-151, N44678, Palmetto, GA, September 22, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 22, 1990, 08:30 local (12:30 UTC)
- Place: Palmetto, GA
- Coordinates: 33.519805, -84.65982 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5198&lon=-84.6598&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8277
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8277/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA174

## Probable cause

THE NUMBER TWO CYLINDER EXHAUST VALVE STICKING IN THE CLOSED POSITION, WHICH RESULTED IN A PARTIAL POWER LOSS DURING THE TAKEOFF. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT INSPECTION, IN THAT HE DID NOT CORRECTLY ANALYZE THE ENGINE PROBLEM PRIOR TO FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, standing - engine(s) operating
  - engine assembly,valve,exhaust - movement restricted (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, takeoff - initial climb
- Forced landing, descent - emergency

## Analysis

DURING PREFLIGHT, THE PILOT OBSERVED A VIBRATION AFTER ENGINE START. HE ASSUMED HE HAD A FOULED SPARK PLUG AND LEANED THE MIXTURE. HE THEN SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. AFTER RE-START, HE STATED THAT THE VIBRATION HAD CEASED. AT ABOUT 25 FEET AGL ON INITIAL CLIMBOUT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH SOME POWER LINES AND A TRAILER PRIOR TO IMPACTING TERRAIN. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A STUCK NUMBER TWO EXHAUST VALVE. A WITNESS ON THE GROUND STATED THAT HE HEARD A 'HISSING' NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE DURING THE PREFLIGHT GROUND RUN. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT THE PILOT PERFORMED BETWEEN FOUR AND SIX MAGNETO CHECKS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N44678](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N44678-1993-07-13), registration cancelled 1993-07-13, S/N 287515003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28-151
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-151](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-151) (registry code 7102805) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7515003
- Airframe hours: 1750
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E3D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Donald I. Gammill
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1989
- Airport: 8A9, South Fulton Skyport, runway 9, 2,690 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 730 total, 600 in this make and model, 730 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point -0 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19900922041589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900922041589A), Sep 22, 1990: Piper PA28151, Palmetto, GA, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Hit powerline and mobil home. Found stuck and broken valves.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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